Land Use Change in Manmunai North D.S Division

Abstract

Land use change is necessary and essential for economic development and social progress. Even though, land-use changes involve economic and environmental effects with implications for global climate change, wildlife, and other policy issues. The study is conducted to identify changes of land use patterns in Manmunai North D.S Division in Batticaloa district. The study also conducted to identify the present and past land use pattern of Manmunai North D.S Division and to prepare past and present land use map for the study area.  Arc GIS 10.4 was utilized to identify the land use changes. The study found that the land use in the study area changed shows variation over the period 1982 to 2015 that comparison has made. Land use of homesteads, scrub and water sources has been increasing in this study area. Paddy, marsh, chena, other cultivation, and sand land area are decreased in this area. Decreasing change pattern of other cultivation shows whereas land use of homesteads has been increasing during the period of comparison. Thus, the findings revealed comprises both increasing pattern and decreasing patterns of land use.